Vying for Top Awards
By Anthony De Beauville

As this media house continues to highlight the performances of St. Lucia’s elite athletes nominated by their various sports association for the prestigious awards of Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year for 2007 under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, we ask you to embrace the efforts of all those who in 2007 brought smiles to our faces.
The athletes highlighted in this weekend edition are anxiously awaiting the final decision by the five competent individuals who have been given the privilege to tabulate the scores for the big evening. This year’s awards will be held at the picturesque Sandals Grande St. Lucia Spa and Beach Resort on Saturday 16th February 2008.
This 18-year-old 1st Degree Black Belt, Valerie Eugene who hails from the community of La Clery in Castries is a member of the Chitolie’s White Tiger Kenpo Karate Institute. She has been very successful in the areas of Kata, Kumite and Weaponry; presently she is a force to be reckoned with.
During her graduation from the Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School she won the school’s award for martial arts under the sports section. Her performance throughout 2007 speaks volume of the sheer consistency, commitment, courage and determination that she has. On November 29th 2007 she attained her 1st Degree Black Belt when she completed her one hour graduation examination in the art of White Tiger Kenpo Karate based on an internationally recognized syllabus. Eugene currently studies the art of Knife Throwing Tai Chi and Choi Lee Fut Shaolin Kung Fu. Valerie Eugene now attends the Bright Horizon Preparatory School situated at Rodney Bay and wishes to become an architect.

At the 15th Caribbean Sunrise Showdown ‘Battle of the Arts’ Championship held in Trinidad on 7th – 8th April 2007 where teams from St. Lucia, U.S.A, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and Trinidad participated, she won two gold medals in the Kata and Kumite categories.
On July 28th 2007 she competed in the Association of Professional Martial Artists Local ‘Best of the Best’ Championships in St.Lucia where she again represented her team, winning three silver medals in the Weaponry, Kata and Kumite events.
To close off a successful year Eugene again showed her brilliance when she represented White Tiger Kenpo Institute at the annual Association of Professional Martial Artists ‘Enter the Dragon’ Championship held in St. Lucia on 17th November 2007 where teams from Martinique, Barbados and St. Lucia participated. Eugene won 1st place – Weaponry, 2nd place – Kata and 2nd place – Kumite.
For Joshua Nazim Smith, a student of the Camille Henry Memorial School, being 9 years old is simply a number as he has already started to make a name for himself in a sport not highly recognized by St. Lucians, A blue belt is the rank of this Taekwandist nominee who is presently enjoying all what life has to offer.
Smith is described as a fair player by all and sundry; he enjoys competition and when defeated takes it honourably. As we look back at his performance during 2007 this young man was able to skip ranks moving from GUP 8 to GUP 6 and remained focussed with sheer determination and commitment. He earned himself a silver medal in the Sparring Division at the Martial Arts Association National Open and a gold medal in Sparring at the Regional Open.
Rewarded for his outstanding performances this past year Joshua Nazim Smith will represent St. Lucia at the Junior Olympics in Detroit, Michigan. Sports enthusiasts salute your Glory.